Friday, August 1, 2014

How to Deal with a Cancer Diagnosis

Hearing the words “It’s cancer” invariably ushers a patient on a
life-altering and unfamiliar journey… and the first days following a
diagnosis can be particularly confusing and emotional.

Here are the first steps Nguyen and Casey recommend:

1. Take stock of how you feel.

Nguyen encourages patients to take time with their thoughts about the
diagnosis before sifting through the barrage of opinions from
specialists and other doctors.

“Know yourself first before other people start to weigh in,” she
says. “Our role as medical providers is to support you in figuring out a
way that’s consistent and resonates with how you see the world and your
body,”

Acknowledge how you feel based on your understanding of your needs
and your body as well as what you’ve seen happen with other people.
Giving yourself some breathing room to let the diagnosis sink in will
also allow you to develop a set of questions that you can ask providers,
specialists, friends, and family.

2. Tap into your internal strength.

In caring for cancer patients, Longhang has seen just how resilient people are.

“They have such strong internal resources and need those to nourish
and maintain their bodies and elevate themselves above their diagnosis,”
she says. Moreover, marshaling all of those resources “will change you
and make you even stronger.”

“The mind and body really work together,” Longhang adds. “It’s like a
string. If you pull on one side, it will tug on the other. So, your
mind and spirit really do help with your diagnosis, healing, and
recovery.”

3. Get your primary care team involved from the beginning.

With so many different parties involved in the cancer treatment
process—radiologist, oncologist, surgeon, reconstructive surgeon—it’s
helpful to have your primary care team there to navigate your treatment.
Your provider team can answer the many questions that arise—from
medical bills to clinical issues—and obtain insurance authorizations and
expedite appointments with specialists. Casey notes, “Patients really
need a home base, someone who’s watching out for them.”

Given the weight of the decisions in a patient’s lap, a primary care
provider offers the opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of
different treatment options and make oncologist and surgeon
recommendations based on your preferred practice style and personality.

“It’s really about shared decision-making,” she says. “A good
relationship with a supportive provider will allow you to understand all
the options and choose the one that’s right for you without judgment.”

4. Build a support system of loved ones.

The initial decision-making stage can also create a lot of anxiety… so in addition to connecting with your primary care team, it’s important to get your emotional team in place.

“When you’re first diagnosed with cancer, you’re embarking into the
unknown. Having a support system grounds you,” Casey shares. She
recommends choosing who will and won’t be part of your inner circle, and
being clear with yourself as to how much details you want to share with
them.

5. Talk it through to relieve stress and anxiety.

Nguyen also encourages patients to consult with those they love and trust.

“Talk with your go-to resources—the people whose opinion you respect,” she adds.

6. Take time to process your options.

When meeting with specialists or receiving—at times,
unsolicited—advice from friends, remember that you don’t have to make
decisions on the spot.

“Take as much time as you need to make a decision and have it feel
right,” Nguyen says. “If you take ownership of that decision, you will
never be wrong.”

7. Come to a decision about what you really need.

Although it can be intimidating to talk with specialists who have
lots of experience and medical degrees behind them, Nguyen notes, “You
know your body best, and you need to make the decision for yourself.”

“I believe people really know what they need to do and what’s best
for them,” Nguyen explains. “It just takes some digging and questioning
to be able to figure that out.”

The questions Nguyen asks her patients—”What do you feel most
comfortable with? What’s your instinct?”—are designed to help her make
recommendations based on the patient’s specific concerns and
preferences. By the end of the conversation, the patient can confidently
say, “This is the direction I should be going in.”

What have you found to be helpful in dealing with a tough
diagnosis—either your own of that of a loved one? Please share in the
comments section below.